nice shit, I need to clean up mine soon.

If you dont already know, get ready for a smoke show with all that exhaust wrap!

Thanks man.

I know about the smoke but I won't be experiencing it because my wrap has been on there for 2 years at least. When I wrapped my nissan's exhaust manifold it would pour smoke out whenever I stopped driving. Took a couple days for it to stop but I can still smell the fiberglass cooking.

Today was spent primarily unfucking my reading comprehension fuckup. I over torqued all of my intake manifold studs and my water pump bolts. Then one of the intake manifold studs was so stripped out the nut was spinning in place (I ended up prying on the intake manifold until the nut jammed onto the stud and both came out of the head), then I went to get studs and blindly trusted the guy behind the counter who gave me all the incorrect studs (including all the ones for the turbo) so I just pulled the ones out of the spare head and went with those. I also had spare water pump bolts (and those are what stripped out) so I got lucky there.

After all that tom foolery I:
got the intake manifold tq'd to the proper specs
mocked up the radiator
mocked up the intercooler
picked up more por15
Mocked up the intercooler piping and trimmed the couplers to optimal length
thought more about how much I am going to cut off the radiator line
thought about how exactly I am going to route the oil feed line
thought about how much time I am wasting doing things twice
drank till I stopped thinking

Here is the just about finished product minus the wiring:
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._7341053_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5386088_n.jpg

Wiring is just about done for the amphenol; just need to solder the pins, wrap the interior wiring, solder the interior plug up, and get another pack of the 1" shrink wrap to make it all look extra delicious. I also need to do something about the cop wiring and cas wiring...maybe some of the split wrap for those. I also moved my car for better lighting ;)

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._3648114_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._3399449_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._6281204_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...2_641462_n.jpg

astroboy, what bolts are you using on the T3 flange?

Grade 8 3/8x16 bolts but I will be installing studs over the weekend.

Ah nice. I just ordered the Trackspeed Engineering Inconel studs for my T3 flange, and the BEGI inconel downpipe M8 studs.

Took a step back to pull everything out of the bay (except the engine), taped, papered, and did a matte finish. Then I made brackets for the radiator to lower it, installed the fans, installed the radiator, fabbed up a tighter fitting coolant return, and por15'd and painted the mc's booster, and brackets. Also finished up the amphenol for the engine harness; just need to put the injector plugs, iacv plug, and tps plug on. Pics!

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5959778_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._4220395_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._1348898_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._4685831_n.jpg

Fuel pump is in, I am rewiring the pump (in tank) with some heavier gauge wire, brakes are all set (was waiting on new seals for the master cylinder reservoir), wiring harness in the bay is done, got the new seals for the heater core lines (the ones that go through the firewall), and got the hold downs installed for the cops. I also used some black tech flex for the cop wiring on the vc.

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._1989401_n.jpg

Spectacular build. Love the attention to detail.

How do you think the carbon paint would work for the whole car? I'm looking for something durable/cheap/unique to paint my track car.

See you wednesday...lets start this sucker up.

I really want to have sex with your car.

Seriously though... great job it looks amazing.

Thanks man! The daytona carbon gray is a stock color form the R8 and I did a matte finish so I think it would be fine.

So close I can smell the fumes...or it is coming from the unsealed gas tank.

Me too! Thanks a lot dude.


Soooooo I got shit done. Checked every path from the sensor plug to the ecu, only one incomplete path that I already knew about. Only need to wire up 6 more wires (horn, wideband, a ground, and fuel pump cutout). Also put the hole in my tunnel for the wideband, egt sensor, oil pressure sensor, and pressure signal for the ecu and put a grommet for the heater core in it. Also made the new brackets for my ic and tried to make it more level than last time, even though it looks like crap. I also finished hooking up the coolant lines and put them in the fire sleeve. Lastly I put the baffle covers back on the vc, put on the gasket, and tq'd that fucker down.

To do: Fix split at the firewall in the heater core line, hook up vac lines with fire sleeve, install the oil return from the turbo, and finish the soldering.

PICZZZZZZ!
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._6431151_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._7960528_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5433970_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._3423282_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5944653_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._2039535_n.jpg

T Minus 8.5 hours till start up!

Fuck, I wish I knew what I was going so I could rewire my car.

I am pretty pumped, I got up at 5 to finish a few little things. Should be all set when you get here/there. I am also going to have 3 camera's recording when we do this. Hopefully they record good stuff and not an exploding (fill in blank) :x:


Just come up here and we'll do it, I have learned what to and what not to do on mine. Doing another should be pretty cake.

5 hours.... Got my laptop in my car btw, just in case.

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=75...arg&mra=ls&z=5
How's the sofa?

Hell yeah man! Good luck with everything today!

Maybe sometime you'd be willing to give me a hand get this in depth with my engine bay. I could supply the shop, tools and plenty of beers. :bigtu:

Couch and love seat in the theater are great and so is the guest bedroom but the screaming baby...not always so great.

I could give you a hand doing the nitty gritty with your bay sometime...but I need to get my shit sorted first :(


Soooooo lots of cranking but no starting. There is spark, fuel, leaking brake fluid, and a small coolant leak so far. Kinda worried what will happen when it runs. Then all the leaks will really shine. Big thanks to Dave for helping me with this thing all afternoon/evening!

Things that may be causing it to not work:
-Botched wire for the tps (not likely)
-Fuel pressure gauge reading zero (meaning all the fuel was just going back to the tank so little to nothing to go to the injectors)
-Messed up timing
-the exhaustake cam isn't set properly
-I suck at life and Miata (most likely the cause)

I approve of the last choice. I'll let you know if I think of anything. Email me the megasquirt file when u get a chance. It's in your hi res project folder

just looked at all these pics.
awesome shit!

Damn you Dave! I agree though. I am a bit concerned that it didn't even sputter, I am hoping if I give the injectors some pressure behind them it will do more than absolutely nothing. I'll poop that email to you later today/tonight.


Thank you for the kind words sir.

yeah it really seamed that you werent getting any spark, even tho it did spark when we pulled the plug out and checked

charge your damn battery. i dont like that it was going to 8v. that could have something to do with this

If I even go down that road it wouldn't be until snows back on the ground. lol

I remember doing my build and the hardest part about the whole god damn thing was when it came time to actually start the car and get it running.

Good luck with it man! :bigtu:

I am going to trickle charge that beeeotch tonight and tomorrow. Going to hit that thing hard saturday, then try to get the car running ;)

Snow time is the best time to take things apart, just have to reassemble in a timely manner.

Oooooook, long time no update. For those that give a fuck read on. Otherwise scroll down to the pretty pictures :love:

Ebay FPR was missing its internals so there was no pressure. Guy wouldn't respond so no refund. Put in aeromotive and got pressure. Cut the hard lines for reliability (one got pinched) and put the proper clamps on all the lines.

Other thing that was keeping her from starting was the cranking rpm setting in ms, if it is set too low it won't let your car start. Fucked with that for a good week or two till diyautotune gave me a clue.

Adjusted the plug in the head...hopefully it doesn't blow out on the breakin. Put the dash in and battled the steering wheel into position. Got that ---- in and put 1/4" spacers in/on to put the wheel a bit lower. I think I want to go down one inch though, I need to buy longer bolts. Also put the cluster in and the meters work, just no lights most likely because I shorted some shit out.

Today/tonight I put the hood on, the headlight buckets in, headlight covers on, measured for my motorless healight setup, and figured out where the plug that goes to nothing goes to (it/they are for the climate control). Here are pics to prove I am doing something:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1317263653

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1317263653

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1317263653

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1317263653

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1317263653

Those louvres look brilliant, I think the dark blue colour helps.

The hood is awesome. I have not seen one like this but I love it. I only wish I would have enough hood left to do something similar.

Thanks, the hood was a one off kinda thing. Wish the louvers were in a spot that made them do some good. When it starts driving again I am going to make a speed bump of some sort in front of them to see if I can make a negative pressure spot over them and pull air out through them.

Well she started and went to 3000rpm's immediately (after fucking with the settings for 30 minutes because she wouldn't so much as sputter). Called my buddy and he said I should probably disconnect the iacv. Did it and she ran pretty well for a few moments till I turned her off. Then I checked under the car and a puddle of oil and coolant had built up and was dripping off the entire center section of the subframe. Jacked up the car and it seems to be all coming from the stock oil cooler so going to have to pull it off and find out wtf is up with it, anybody have any recommendations for what to check? I may have not tq's it properly if at all...

Then it started to pour outside so no break in yet

On another note all the meters seem to be working well and when cranking the oil pressure jumps to 50psi range. I'll have video and msq's later

Wow that kid who told u to disconnect the iacv must have been smart :-D lol

Hell yeah he is!

On another note I gotta get some more oil because the oil and coolant looked to be making a nastay concoction and I don't want to risk it having gotten back into the oiling system. At least I know she's ready to go :D

you have a 99 on it right now? what did you do about the CAS in the front of the VC?

on another note, swwwwwweeeeeeet build

it is a 99 head, I just got rid of that vc and went with an escort one. I mean you could cut off the cam cover area, throw a 94-97 vc on, use that vc with no sensor and a plug installed, or the sensor hooked up. There is a blank out in the back of the head to put the cas into. Just gotta pop the cap out. The cam is keyed for it and everything. pretty cake to do actually.

And thanks!

But theres nothing on the back of the head on the intake side? Its all in the head.


Do you hve a pic of the cas setup?

No, it is on the exhaust side, I can take a pic tomorrow for ya.

So today there was much anger followed by more oily hand to face and laughter. It would seem when I put the engine in the car I threw the oil filter on to protect the threaded tube that goes through the oil cooler buuut I never went back to put it together.

Then when I cranked the car before and saw coolant and oil coming out I interpreted it as I had a bad hose clamp or something and a separate oil leak that just happened to be in the same area (or just coming from between the filter and cooler) so new clamps, change oil, and hope for miracles. Well none were realized, I still don't know how magnets work, and I spent 2 hours trying to get the oil filter off (which eventually happened after cutting up a strap wrench, killing a pipe wrench, putting a screw driver through it, jamming vice grips into it, and eventually getting oil filter pliers and practically ripping it in half).

When I got the filter off the hilarity ensued. Besides not putting any kind of gasket between the oil cooler and the block I didn't even put the nut on to keep the thing in place. So it was only being held on by the oil filter.

Not sure what measures I should take to make sure I didn't/don't fuck myself over but I am thinking before I take her out run one more change of oil through her and go back to the straight 30 weight oil for the break in. Anybody have any recommendations?

I would do just as you describe. I would put new oil in it run it for about 15 min. then change it and run it for about 15 min. Then check it. If you feel anything looks weird change it again then test it.

Good to hear its running!

Another day has come and gone; unfortunately I have to be a responsible home owner, parent, and hubby so the car didn't get broken in. The planets are aligned though for this event though. New oil is in, new seal/o-ring is on, new filter is on, laptop is charged, and sunday's going to be a great day. Here's what the old oil and filter looked like:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1318034321

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1318034321

I think the oil was the only thing that was coming out of the cooler because unless there is an internal leak there shouldn't be any way for coolant to get out of the passage in/around it. also the oil looks murky like that because it is mixed with assembly lube. That was also after it sat for 24 or more hrs.

Well damnit all to hell! No break in. If you want help me with figuring this shit out here's the thread with pertinent info. I'm going to go bang my head against a wall meow.

https://www.miataturbo.net/showthrea...471#post781471

Still trying to figure this thing out. Killed the starter today so gotta figure that out quickly because my smart buddy (aka the guy who told me to unplug the iacv and where reverse is lololol aka 240 to miata) is going to come by and try to bail me out.

After I killed said starter I worked on the ascetics a bit. Still gotta splash some paint on the bottom part and find the cause for the poor fitment but this is about how she'll look when I'm done (minus the wheels).

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1318292378

:greddy: you turned my old parking lights pink

damn, i hope you get it running soon! :drool:


also one more ? about your CAS. is it a 1.8 or 1.6 one? i looked at my head again and figured it out.

It was just to see how they tickled my fancy, it is not permanent :giggle:

Mine is a 1.6 one because that is what my chassis is. Less wiring that way. The only thing I had to wire up for the 99 head was the iacv (which from what I was told didn't need to be changed) and the tps. Everything else is chassis specific sensors and whatnot for the 90 (including the wiring harness).

Just finished reading thru this build thread and I just want to say that you have done assume work so far. Very inspiring! Hope the second start up and break in goes well because you really deserve to drive your car now.

And as has been said before: very impressive photography.

We still good for today after I get out of work?

Thanks and thanks! With Dave helping me I think I have the best chance of getting this bitch to go.

Yeah boieeeeeeeeeee!

sounds good. ive got an 00 and a spare 99 head that may start a build one day (right now im just trying to gather as much info as I can & learn).. now I just gotta go see how the 99-00 CAS is wired up in relation to the 90-93 one. Even though I doubt it will be pnp, a splice should fix that. =)

im doing it so i can run the 1.8 90-98 protoge VC. i know im lame. but i just think it looks a lot cleaner, and this thread is another good example of that!

thx for your help!

So you have a 99-00 and you want to run the Protoge VC?

Well many things have happened recently:
`got the 99 starter in (which has a totally different sound to it and fits muuuch better)
`put in the 99 throttle cable in, cut the stock bracket, and put it on (once again perfect fitment)
`threw the stb on but am still undecided as to how I am going to fasten it to the bottom of the cowl
`put the cam gear cover on but am not sold on keeping it on there, kinda looks out of place now because it's so bubbley

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1318643466

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1318643466

Also Dave saved my ass again and got her to go. Battery is charging for round two (now that the charger is on the 12v setting) when we'll actually make it run properly.

Nice build. So, what got the car to run?

yeah, im not going to lie. i feel kinda lame going through all that trouble, just to run a diff valve cover. but my build is going to be a ground up one, so i wont be using any parts that are already on my nb.. so its not like it really matters anyways, and then i'll get exactly what i want (providing my wallet can make it through it too. :rofl:)

plus everyone ive seen wants 140-170 for a damn nb1 VC!! so ill go the protoge route =)

yah buddy! congrats on getting it up and running

Stretching out the ase's initially got her to stay going but adding a bunch more fuel kept it going. It still needs to be tuned much more.

Not lame, but 140-170 for for a nb1 vc is crazy!

Thanks man!

yerp.. i like the cheaper one a lot more anyways, so why not....

also i noticed no filter on turbine. put a filter on that bish!

Air filter is meh, I'll get to it but rite not it isn't a priority.

Finished up putting the bumper back together after painting the mounting bracket and the bottom lip thing (which may or may not make the final cut) and am working on getting the bumper to fit properly.

Also pulled the fenders back off so I could splash the hood hinges with some fresh paint and fab up a cowl cover.

The cowl cover is made out of some 1/32 aluminum and sprayed black with a matte clear on it.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1318987722

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1318987722

nice! Sorry I missed your call, I'll give you a ring tomorrow

Your engine bay is so cool, I want it.

Grassy ass!

Finished the cowl cover, messed with the tune, fit/aligned the fenders and bumper, started to notch the bumper so the tow hook will work, marked the tow hook so I know where to bend it, and cracked the shit out of the bumper. Oohz wellz.

Tow hook will be painted a different color but unsure what yet...

I am waiting on a roll carbon to get here now so I can finish off the last of the details, and I need a tune damnit.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1319161166

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1319161166

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1319161166